SKINCARE BRANDS TO KNOW: NUMERCIES
NUMERCIES
NuMercies is a skincare line of vegan-based solutions for all skin types using fruits and vegetables to combine nature and science without the chemicals. Founded by Ashley Gonzalez, Master Esthetician of Afro Puerto Rican descent, NuMercies is inspired by the natural remedies passed down from her grandmother and the power of nature to heal us, inside and out.
SHEER: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
ASHLEY GONZALEZ: Hello I’m Ashley Gonzalez, Master Esthetician and Founder of vegan skincare line Numercies where simplicity and effectiveness meet.
SHEER: What inspired the creation of NuMercies skincare and how did you come up with the name?
AG: So many things inspired me to create Numercies, but it all points to the lack of self love. Since I was young, I experienced so many skin issues from acne, eczema, and hyperpigmentation. I struggled to feel confident in my skin. Knowing this, I wanted to create products for myself and others to show up authentically in the skin we’re in!
As far as the name goes, it has many origins haha. The name is tied to my faith, my dog Mercy and the thought that our products bring “new mercies” to your skin. When I was in Esthetician school, they told us that if you name your business after someone you love it’s more than likely you won’t give up on it. Knowing that, I figured NuMercies would be a unique yet meaningful name I could hold on to.
SHEER: In what way does your cultural upbringing influence your brand and products?
AG: As an Afro-Latina my grandmother would send food from her farm in Puerto Rico to my family. This inspired me to make vegan products, and I continue to challenge myself to learn more about natural remedies that improve skin from the inside out.
“So many things inspired me to create Numercies, but it all points to the lack of self love. Since I was young, I experienced so many skin issues from acne, eczema, and hyperpigmentation. I struggled to feel confident in my skin. Knowing this, I wanted to create products for myself and others to show up authentically in the skin we’re in! ”
SHEER: What was the launch process for NuMercies like and what were its greatest challenges?
AG: NuMercies was an idea for a long time, until my now husband challenged me to launch it on my birthday in 2018. It started with a post on my personal Instagram account. My greatest challenge has been wearing all the hats and learning at the same time. On any day I can go from chemist to customer service rep, content creator, and more all in the span of a day. Let’s just say I have many roles and more to learn as the business grows.
SHEER: Where do you find the most inspiration when creating your formulas?
AG: Skin concerns inspire my formulations the most. I love to identify the pain points while offering solutions, that is where my product creation thrives.
“As an Afro-Latina my grandmother would send food from her farm in Puerto Rico to my family. This inspired me to make vegan products, and I continue to challenge myself to learn more about natural remedies that improve skin from the inside out. ”
SHEER: What are your most popular products currently and what are their most effective qualities?
AG: I may be biased haha, but our UltraGlow cleansing brush and Hydro Glow facial mister sell effortlessly. These electronic tools aid in smoothening, hydrating, and replenishing your skin. Also, our Açaí Manuka Cleanser and Kiwi Watermelon moisturizer are constantly being restocked!
SHEER: What are some common mistakes in skincare distribution and advertising to women of color that your brand addresses?
AG: Although clean beauty is constantly evolving, it’s no secret that the skincare industry is oversaturated with toxic “quick fix” products, ignoring the fact that having healthy skin is not a quick fix. NuMercies hopes to replace and streamline these products with natural options that provide Black and Brown women with simple, active solutions. Our goal is to evolve into a wellness lifestyle brand that resonates with the heritage of our culture and natural being as women of color.
SHEER: How does NuMercies make vegan skincare feel more accessible?
AG: All of our products contain at least one fruit or vegetable with recognizable names on our ingredient labels to help educate our customers on what they’re putting on their skin. We also have at least one product to address the common skin concerns we’ve heard from over the years. Starting with our Skin Analysis Quiz, you can shop by solution to help you identify your problem areas and which NuMercies products are right for you! I created the quiz to help our customers focus on what their skin needs the most, even if it changes from time to time.
“Although clean beauty is constantly evolving, it’s no secret that the skincare industry is oversaturated with toxic “quick fix” products, ignoring the fact that having healthy skin is not a quick fix. Numercies hopes to replace and streamline these products with natural options that provide Black and Brown women with simple, active solutions. ”
SHEER: What do you envision for the future of NuMercies?
AG: I envision NuMercies will be a pillar within the clean beauty industry especially for people of color. Our goal is to expand to help others feel more confident in their skin, first through self love.
